Returning veterans not forgotten in R.I. General Assembly

Monday

Aug 19, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Sen. Walter Felag Jr. and Rep. Raymond Gallison Jr. wanted their actions to speak louder than words in honoring the veterans recently returned to their lives here in Rhode Island, and they did so, along...

Sen. Walter Felag Jr. and Rep. Raymond Gallison Jr. wanted their actions to speak louder than words in honoring the veterans recently returned to their lives here in Rhode Island, and they did so, along with their fellow legislators, in the last General Assembly session at the State House.

For Rhode Island veterans, especially those returning from tours of duty, the General Assembly passed several significant pieces of legislation that have been signed into law. These new laws are designed to assist veterans with their reintegration into society, increase their access to educational opportunities and help them obtain medical and human-services benefits.

The new laws resulted from bills introduced in both legislative chambers this session, with the Senate bills part of a package to “Pave the Rhode Back Home,” influenced by a legislative report on current and proposed services for veterans.

The Veterans’ Services Strategic Plan creates a 13-member advisory committee responsible for developing, maintaining and annually updating a five-year plan to ensure that all government departments deliver comprehensive services and support to veterans and their families.

The VSSP advisory committee will include representatives of the departments or divisions of Veterans Affairs; Human Services; Planning; the Board and Department of Education; Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals; Health; Elderly Affairs; Business Regulation; the Office of the Attorney General; Labor and Training; the Economic Development Corporation; and the Secretary of State. The committee is required to accept input and guidance from a committee that includes five veterans representing diverse interests and viewpoints.

Highlights of the legislation:

Educational assistance will be provided with the establishment of veteran-friendly, accelerated educational programs that acknowledge a veteran-student’s military training and past coursework.

The Division of Veterans Affairs will produce a comprehensive Pocket Guide of Veterans’ Services, along with an online guide.

Military service members, veterans and their spouses will be able to more easily obtain certifications and licenses to perform regulated professional services. State examining and licensing boards will accept military education, training or service toward the qualifications needed to receive the requested license or certification.

State-run public higher-education institutions will award educational credits to veterans for courses that were part of the students’ past military training.

An ex-officio member from the Providence VA Medical Center who specializes in health care for homeless veterans will be added to the VSSP advisory committee. Members of the veterans community, including housing providers and a current or former homeless veteran, also will be added to the Interagency Council on Homelessness.

In addition to the legislation enacted, the state budget for this year also includes $300,000 for operational support of the Veterans Court within the District Court to provide for a clinical supervisor, outreach coordinator, case manager and administrative assistant. The court, established in 2011, is designed to direct veterans with trauma-related disorders into support and treatment programs and to provide offenders with rehabilitative alternatives to incarceration.

Felag, Gallison and other lawmakers believe that their legislation recognizes the unique contributions of Rhode Island’s veterans to the state’s economy. Felag (D-Warren) serves as the chairman of the Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans’ Affairs; Gallison (D-Bristol) is chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Meetings

Veterans of Foreign Wars: Gatchell Post 306 and Auxiliary units meet at 6 this evening at the post home, 171 Fountain St., Pawtucket; Smithfield’s Memorial Post 2929 will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the post home at 47 Farnum Pike. The Ladies Auxiliary’s summer kickoff conference will be held Saturday at Burns Manor, 95 Park St., Pawtucket, with coffee at 8 a.m., the conference at 9 a.m. and lunch at 1 p.m.; lunch tickets cost $10 and reservations may be made by calling Michele at (401) 545-5307.

Military Order of Foreign Wars Rhode Island Commandery executive committee will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in room 4090 (new wing) at the Community College of Rhode Island, 400 East Ave., Warwick, and members are welcome with advance notice to Cortlandt Clarke Jr. at ltcol67@aol.com.

Association of the United States Army Rhode Island Chapter executive committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Italo-American Club, 477 Broadway, Providence; members are welcome with advance notice to Tony Ferri at (401) 861-2997.

Send veterans’ meeting and news items to George W. Reilly at VeteransColumn@verizon.net. Veterans’ meeting and feature items can be read and posted for free at “Things to Do” at www.providencejournal.com.